Government of Canada Celebrates Opening of Innovative Food Processing Institute
For immediate release
November 15, 2012
Cambridge, Ontario — With today's official opening of the Institute of Food Processing Technology, graduates trained in the newest food processing technologies will soon be bringing their skills to southern Ontario, home to one of North America's largest and most competitive food clusters. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), celebrated this important milestone at the School of Engineering and Information Technology, part of Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
"Our government is committed to helping southern Ontario's manufacturers be more competitive, adaptive and innovative," said Minister Goodyear. "By supporting the Institute of Food Processing Technology, we are helping to ensure that our region's food processing and manufacturing sector has the skilled workforce it needs to grow and prosper."
The contribution of $2.3 million through FedDev Ontario's Prosperity Initiative has allowed Conestoga to equip its new pilot plant with modern food processing lines that simulate real work environments. The hands-on training, in areas such as food safety, electronic instrumentation techniques, robotics, and plant supervision, provided by the Institute of Food Processing Technology is producing graduates who will be able to meet the current and future demands of a highly competitive and evolving industry.
For more information about the Institute of Food Processing Technology, visit: http://ifpt.ca/.
FedDev Ontario's Prosperity Initiative is designed to encourage businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and post-secondary institutions in southern Ontario to undertake projects that will result in a more productive, diversified, and competitive economy. Applications for funding are being accepted and assessed on an ongoing basis.
Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
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For more information, contact:
Michele-Jamali Paquette
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
613-947-2956
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
416-954-6652
